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Hicks makes first big league start at first base

Hicks makes first big league start at first base

Brandon Hicks 062412

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SEATTLE -- Just as the game of musical chairs has continuously turned at first base for the A's this season, so too has the rotation of gloves used there.

In giving Brandon Moss his first day off since he joined the club on June 6, manager Bob Melvin handed Brandon Hicks his first Major League start at the position Tuesday against the Mariners. Hicks, naturally, doesn't have a first baseman's glove, so he's borrowing the one owned by Jonny Gomes. Even Moss doesn't have one, as he's been renting from Adam Rosales.

The 26-year-old Hicks, promoted from Triple-A Sacramento just three days ago, has limited experience at first base, having played there just three times in the Minors for Atlanta's Triple-A team last season. Positioning, he said, presents the biggest challenge. Otherwise, he's confident in his ability there.

"I feel comfortable over there," said Hicks, a natural middle infielder. "The first time I played there last year, I was a little uneasy about it, anxious, because I hadn't been there."

"We targeted Hicks being here and playing against left-handed pitching, so that was kind of an easy one, having him give Moss a day off at first," said Melvin, who plugged Hicks into the No. 2 spot. "He's a true infielder. Infielders that play the middle can typically play anywhere."

Entering Tuesday, Hicks was 2-for-6 -- both hits were doubles -- in two games with the A's, coming on the heels of a torrid stretch at Sacramento during which he went 12-for-28 (.429) with six home runs and 18 RBIs over eight games.

"I think I was putting myself in a good position to see the ball," he said. "At the beginning of the season, I had a lot of movement with my body. I'm hoping to carry over what I was doing there.

"I think there's a lot of opportunity here with the movement they have going on. I think they like bringing young guys up and giving them an opportunity right away to prove themselves."